Although Hapans are human, they differ from other human groups in two ways. First, they are considered quite handsome and beautiful as a race. Second, they have lost their ability to see well in the dark because of the fact that their adopted homeplanet, Hapes is continually bathed in light, either from its sun or from the seven moons that orbit it.
Hapes is a very wealthy and old society. They have had little contact with the rest of the galaxy for more than 4,000 years.

Hapans are very nature loving and aware of their surroundings. Unlike many civilizations the Hapans have always built around and with the nature on their planet, putting lots of time and energy in to the caring of their plants, forests and natural surroundings. Next to the very honourable jobs such as in the military and government are the jobs that take care of their great gardens. Honor and pride are also a very large part of Hapan society. This has proven to be one of the backbones in Hapan culture that has been a solid building stone for both the civilian side of life as well as the military. Although the Hapans are peaceful, they hold a very powerful military. Of course honor also puts a large support on the Hapan monarchy.

Hapans are descendants from a group of pirates called the Lorell Raiders that originally settled Hapes. The pirates barbaric practice included pillaging nearby systems. They were wiped out by Jedi Knights when they started making raids into Old Republic supply centers. The survivors, mostly women, swore never to let a man run the government following this defeat. All power in a hereditary monarch to be known as the Queen Mother, and men assumed a subservient role, with little voice in politics or business.

For many generations, the Hapes Consortium advocated isolation from the rest of the galaxy.